For many members of the older generations, the idea of having too many chores probably never became an issue. Many children were expected to pitch in and do whatever needed to be done in order to keep the family home running smoothly. This may have included anything from helping with general household chores, farming and helping to raise younger siblings. So what about the current and most recent generations?
At some point in the past 25 years, it seems that parents may have lost their way when it comes to helping children learn responsibility without the need to provide monetary incentives to do what children were once expected to do as part of childhood. When self-proclaimed experts started writing books and telling parents that too many demands were detrimental to a child’s self-esteem, there was a movement to reduce the expectations that were placed on youngsters. At the same time, it was suggested that children should not only be paid a regular allowance, but they should be compensated for performing simple household tasks.
Fast forward 25 years, and now society is lamenting the self-entitlement attitude that many of today’s young people seem to possess. So many teens and young adults seem to lack the motivation to seek a paying job or complete simple tasks around the house. While the cost of living and the lack of well-paying jobs in certain markets may play a role, many adult children do not seem to be in any rush to leave the nest and make a life for themselves. The employment rate for teens is at the lowest rate than it has been for years and the lack of jobs does not seem to be the issue. Instead, parents are simply supplying everything their children need without demanding that they learn to save and provide some of their wants by extending their own effort to earn what they desire. .
Life will likely eventually provide the lessons that spoiled children need to learn, but the next crop of youngsters can be taught how to pitch in and learn the value of accomplishing tasks for the simple reward of completing a chore. Asking a child to contribute to the running of the household does not mean that parents are looking for free labor. Rather, children who are taught to complete tasks and have certain expectations tend to experience a higher level of success in school and in life.
Raising children is not an easy undertaking. Many parents may believe that it is easier to provide a child with everything that he or she needs – including a tidy bedroom, clean clothes and healthy meals. But it does not hurt a child to learn to accomplish many of these tasks on their own. Though the nagging and oversight that it takes to teach a child how to prepare for the adult world and manage responsibility can take an emotional toll; the rewards for both parent and children cannot be overestimated.
Writer Bio: Angela Mose
I am a mom of 7 who has successfully homeschooled for 20 years. I was married for more than 25 years and have recently started my life over. I have a passion for writing and music and when the two can be combined, it is utopia. A Maryland native, I am planning to relocate north in the near future and will continue to strive to learn and experience new things on a regular basis. I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home while exploring new ways to increase my knowledge and skills and help improve the lives of those around me.
